Looking back

Five years ago - Nov. 12, 2008

? Beth Larson has recently been promoted to Branch Manager of The Stephenson National Bank & Trust (SNB&T) Oconto Office. Larson has nearly 20 years of banking experience in Oconto as a teller, sales associate, CSR supervisor and Assistant Branch Manager. She joined SNB&T in July 2001 when the Oconto office opened for business. In her new position, she is responsible for managing the staff in Oconto, working with retail and commercial business customers, as well as consumer and mortgage lending.

? In district races which involved Northern Oconto County, Democrat Jim Holperin edged Republican Tom Tiffany for District 12 State Senator, 43,656-41,544. In the District 36 assembly race, Republican Incumbent Jeff Mursau won a narrow race over Democrat Stan Gruszynski, 13,139-12,363.

? Oconto County has been considered a Republican stronghold for years, even decades. In fact, all elected office-holders in the county are Republicans. Only one Democrat has held a county office in the past 35 years. But with a record turnout of voters last Tuesday, Oconto County voters gave a majority of votes to Democrats newly-elected President Barack Obama and incumbent 8th District Congressman Dr. Steven Kagen.

? At last Thursday's Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce dinner, Nicolet Plastics of Lakewood was recognized as one of five Northeastern Wisconsin manufacturers for continuing to prosper in the face of a down-turned economy. Nicolet Plastics Inc. provides custom injection-molded parts for uses on such products as medial devices, recreational vehicles, office equipment and furniture, plumbing fixtures and more.

? The Annual Gathering of The Annual Gathering of Oconto Christians Service will be held on Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, November 26, at 7 p.m. at Holy Trinity Church, corner of Madison and Park. The event is sponsored by Holy Trinity Church, Oconto Gospel Chapel, First American Lutheran Church, First Presbyterian Church and United Methodist Church.

10 years ago - Nov. 12, 2003

? Associated Bank is proud to be a sponsor of the Oconto Youth Center. The youth center will provide for a safe, supervised environment for our youth to enjoy various activities. Associated Bank - Pound, Oconto and Oconto Falls prides itself on the value of investing in youth-related partnerships of our local communities.

? On October 1, awards and closing banquet for the Oconto Men's Golf League was held at the Oconto Golf Club. The following awards were presented: Club Champion Randy Pillsbury; Second place Jeff Stewart, First flite 1st place John Lasley, second place Joe Paluch, Second flite 1st place Glen Blum, second place John Matravers. Team champions' sponsor Davidson Printing: team members are Lloyd Heier, Ron Frease, Doc Davidson, Pat Scanlan and Marc Frewerd. Second place sponsor Oconto Golf Club: team members are John Bickel, Rob Charapata, John Lasley, Mark VanHulle and Ed Burke.

? Oconto's first annual Harvest Market on October 18 was a great success. Over 20 vendors were on hand offering seasonal vegetables and crafts. Great food was provided by The Oakwood, Crivello's Main Street, Brothers 3 and Jake's. Rock Solid and DJ, Myron Crawford provided the musical background for what turned out to be a beautiful fall day. Horse drawn wagon rides sponsored by The Oakwood took riders down Main Street to enjoy the decorated storefronts and out to the Beyer Home for free tours. Oconto Daycare set up a Big Wheel riding course and face painting for the little ones. And who could forget the balloon animals crafted by the talented Rachel Scheffen.

25 years ago - Nov. 9, 1988

? Marcia Wallace of Oconto, wife of Dr. Jim, won second place in the Green Bay Press-Gazette's recipe contest for her pungent pasta salad entry.

? The Schultz Bros. Variety store in downtown Oconto has been the largest non-grocery retail outlet here for many years. Effective as of last Tuesday, the former Schultz Bros. store is now Oconto Ben Franklin. Dean Reed will continue as manager and there are no personnel changes contemplated at this time. Reed related that he expects the Oconto Ben Franklin to not only have a complete inventory but one which may be larger than it was under the Schultz ownership. And added that the pricing structure is anticipated to be "very competitive."

? The All-Packerland Conference football team announced last week included two first team selections from Coach Pete Gabrielson's Oconto Blue Devils. Tackle Chad Ratzburg, a 5-9, 210-pound senior, was named to the first team on defense and the second team on offense. Wide receiver Mike Wusterbarth, a 5-10, 155-pound senior was a first team offense choice. Junior Rory Cisar, the league's leading kickoff returner, was named to the second team on offense. And junior Mickey Exferd, the Devils' quarterback and linebacker Pat Belleau, a senior, were Honorable Mention choices.

? Betty Sherman, retired Oconto teacher, is the featured profile in the current issue of Around the Bay magazine. The profile account covers Sherman's long-time teaching career and recent work as an author. Around the Bay is a regional magazine covering the bay area from Marinette to Green Bay through Door County. The content covers interesting people, historical events, unique small business along with helpful consumer information.

50 years ago - Nov. 14, 1963

? The Oconto County and City hospital Friday accepted delivery of a new electrosurgical machine, purchased by the Dr. H.A. Aageson memorial fund.

? Again Earl B. Whiting of Gillett has taken top score in state cheesemaking competition, this time at the 72nd annual meeting of the Wisconsin State Cheesemakers association in Fond du Lac. In class I, his cheese scored 99 out of a possible 100 points for top place. Since 1916 he has been a consistent winner in many contests.

? Fire Friday destroyed the home of Paul Johnson, R2-Oconto, one mile south of Four Corners.

? Mwai Wahome, native of Kenya, is a student of economics at the Wisconsin State College-Oshkosh. He was a guest Saturday afternoon and Sunday at the Presbyterian church. Saturday he spoke to a gathering of Northeastern Wisconsin Presbyterian church school staffs.

? Albert Soulek of Oconto Falls was elected president of the Oconto county Shrine Club at a meeting at the Tangiers Monday night.

75 years ago - Nov. 11, 1938

? Orville Noack won first prize with an ear of corn having 18 rows of kernels and weighing 19 ounces in the Oconto Milling Co. sponsored corn and potato show.

? About 200 Odd Fellows assembled at the gym Thursday evening for the annual homecoming and Roll Call banquet.

? When the annual meeting of the county board opens here next Tuesday, Nov. 15, the subject for most serious consideration will be how to reduce county expenses to keep the 1939 budget somewhere near within reason.

100 years ago - Nov. 13, 1913

? Some 6,000 oysters have been ordered to tickle the palates of Oconto people at the big Oyster Day Nov. 21.

? William Lambrecht hauled hay to Lena Friday.

? Mrs. Genevieve Howard of Boston will give a Shakespearean recital at the high school auditorium tomorrow evening.